Y8 RHS Green. Plan. It. Challenge. Champions!

Two teams of eager Y8’s took part in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Green. Plan. It. Challenge, over the course of the Autumn term. Over 10 weeks,the students joined others from across the city tasked with researching,planning and building a model, which showcased ideas of what would make an innovative or exciting new garden for their school or local community. The teams, representing the Science and Geography departments, decided to think of ways to encourage both their team subject and as many other subjects as possible to use a new green space in lessons.

Teams were matched with mentors from the horticultural industry who helped guide them through the project, offering their knowledge of plants and challenging them to think about the purpose of their design.

The project began with a launch event at Sheffield Botanical Gardens,which was opened by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield. There they took part in activities, games and discussions to get their creative minds going and get them set for their challenge.

At the end of the 10 weeks, students were back at the Botanical Gardens to present their ideas to the judges. This meant a gruelling day of presentations and answering questions, after which judges went away to discuss their findings. After much deliberation, the judges decided that Ecclesfields‘ Mabel Gardeners’ were the winners, and so crowned the RHS Green. Plan. It.Challenge Champions 2018! beating competition from 6 other city schools and narrowly edging Ecclesfields 2nd team, ‘The Hardy Northerners’ by just 1 point.

A massive congratulations to both teams on their hard work and commitment over the past 10 weeks. It really does prove that teamwork, effort,grit and determination are rewarded!